Badal and Kreyling Backroads Tennessee"Ammon said unto him: I am a man; and man in the beginning was created after the image of God, and I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true; And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God."Alma 18:34-35

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

This is a letter that Barry wrote to be read at the funeral of his grandpa who died on 1/26/2012.

Divine Intervention

Hola familia,

It was a bit hard at first to hear about grandpa. President I. told me that he told dad that he couldn't really see a way for me to make it there for a funeral service. He said that dad told him that grandpa would want me to stay out and finish. I know that is true.

As missionaries we are encouraged to receive a blessing from our Bishop's shortly after arriving to a new area. Yesterday Elder S. (his father recently passed away and I know that it's no coincidence that we were put together shortly before grandpa's death) and I received ours from Bishop S. In both of our blessings Bishop S. told us that we would receive help from beyond the veil. I know that grandpa's spirit still lives on and that this time with out him is only temporary. I know that he's a great missionary in the spirit world and that he's helping many there. Bishop S. said, "Our tests become our testimonies." I know that this is true. Grandpa's death has only strengthened my testimony of the Great Plan of Salvation. I'm so grateful that it did happen at a time when my testimony has been stronger than any other time in my life. I know that because of Jesus Christ's atoning sacrifice that this is not the end. We will all see grandpa again and we will live with him as an eternal family. I'm so grateful to have the fulness of the Gospel and the Plan of Salvation in my life. I know that these blessings can be found in all of our lives as we follow and live Christ's Gospel. I testify that Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father live and love us. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Well, about your last question. I can't remember if I've asked you tosend me The Infinite Atonement by Tad R. Callister. But, I wouldreally appreciate that. Elder N. has a sample of the first twochapters on his kindle. So, I can start reading, but I'd like anactual copy of my own. It's supposed to be an amazing book!Thanks!

Well, this past week has been quite good! I. attended churchyesterday! We had another lesson at his great grandmother’s house lastnight. We went on splits with Bro. J. and Bro. A. (ward missionleader). Bro. A. and I went over to teach I. On the way there Iwas telling Bro. A. the lesson plan we had made for I. I told himthat we could just alternate teaching the principles. He just lookedover at me and said that he doesn't know the PMG lessons! I wassurprised haha! He told me that he didn't us PMG on his mission andthat he hasn't studied the lessons from PMG yet. So, I had to teachalmost the whole lesson (the Restoration) on my own! I cued Bro. A.to teach certain principles. We used a cup activity where we builtthe church of Christ. The 12 apostles are on the bottom as thefoundation. Then, the cups on top of them include the principles andordinances of the Gospel, the priesthood and of course Jesus Christ.Then, we have a "wicked people" ball which when thrown at thefoundation of the 12 apostles represents the wicked people rejectingChrist and his apostles. So, the foundation is taken out and the cups(the church) literally fall(s) It all went well! Oh, and I gaveI. some of those candies, CTR rings and a CD. He said "Thank you!"He's a really sweet kid an he's doing well.

This past week was our bike week. On the way to an appointment, wewere riding down a hill on the left side of the road, and abouthalfway down the hill were about four young boys who were maybe aboutten or so. As we started down the hill we saw one of them throw apunch at one of the other ones. We hurried down the hill and E.N. was ahead of me and he told them to knock it off. Theystopped. I think the one kid would have been beaten up had if we have notbeen there. The kid that threw the punch was taking off his jacketgetting ready for some more. It was pretty crazy! Oh, they probablythought that we were bicycle cops at first. A lot of people thinkthat, when they first see us on our bikes haha:)

We taught a guy named J. He owns a tienda (store) called Don Jorge. He'scatholic, but loves to study things about God and such. His ex-girlfriend is a member! They actually just became friends onface book! He was telling her that we have seen him a few times, butshe couldn't believe it haha! So, we taught him the Restorationand at the end he asked us for a Book of Mormon! We gave him oneand he committed to read and pray! Then, we asked him to say theclosing prayer. In his prayer he called us prophets haha! BTW wewere teaching him in his tienda during the slow hours. So, after thelesson we were about to buy some gelatina. We grabbed four differentflavors to try. They are about a dollar each. When we went to pay hejust gave them to us free of charge! He needs to be a Mormon haha!

Well, I think that's all for this week. Please don't forget about theInfinite Atonement! I really want to read it. But, thanks for allthat y'all do. Tell everyone I say hi and I love them. Have a greatweek. I love y'all!!!

Monday, January 16, 2012

Well, I've got some good news. So, are y'all ready? L. wasconfirmed! We found out where he was living. The name he hadgiven us was the trailer park name, not the street name. But, with thespirit's help, we were able to find him! We taught him a few timesduring the week. Then, on Sunday we went with Presidente C. topick him up. We got him to church. Then, Presidente C. asked himif he had a preference as to who did the confirmation. He said no.So, Presidente C. asked me to do it! I said something like surething, but I've never done it in Spanish, so I'm not 100% sure on thewording. He whispered it in my ears then he, my comp, one othermissionary (Elder H.) and I placed our hands upon his head to confirmhim and bestow the Gift of the Holy Ghost. He is now a member!!!So so so happy!

Another highlight is that we met with I.! He attended church onSunday. His great grandmother works in the library, and hestays with her and helps out there. We talked with him for a fewminutes there. He didn't want to talk about his mother there. Werespected that and set an appointment up for yesterday evening. Wewent over with Bro. N. (it's interesting because he's the Spanishbranch clerk, and he also goes to the Pleasant Ridge ward which wecover. But, he's not even in the Pleasant Ridge boundaries haha)But, he helps us out a lot with Spanish and English work because he'sfluent in both. Anyway, we went over there and I. answered the door.We walk inside and they have us go to the kitchen. There on thetable laid some KFC! Apparently Ian had requested that they get KFCfor the missionaries :) He's a sweet kid. Well, we taught him thePlan of Salvation. There were a few moments where he was tearing up.But, he seems strong about it. Throughout the lessons we mentionedthe Doctrine of Christ. At one point he told us that they've beentrying to get him baptized for a while now. We invited him rightthere and he committed! His baptismal date is for Jan 28th! :) Thatis right after transfers so hopefully we will both be here for it.He's a really good kid and we are super excited for him :)

I got Michelle's letter. She's already in London. Wow!!! She didn'twrite her new address first so I'm not sure if she's planning onwriting another letter from there or if she wants me to respondfirst...Why don't y'all send the catalog and I'll pick some classes fromthere? Will I be starting in the summer semester still or in thefall?

Monday, January 9, 2012

I can't remember if I told y'all this last week, but I got the dear elder. That was really nice what sis. H. said. J. is a stud.

We had a pretty good week. We lost the car on Wednesday. We were supposed to lose it on Tuesday, but it was super cold that day, so they let us keep it one more day. It has been pretty exciting on the bikes. I still need to get a picture of me on the bike.

I already told y'all about P. Well, yesterday he and another member brought a non member to church! His name is P. We are going to see if we can start teaching him soon in addition to P's daughter.

While we were at church yesterday, the first counselor in the branch and another member were telling us that L. moved to London, TN. I was confused and kind of stressing out because we had talked with him not too long before that, and he said he moved to somewhere in Knoxville. During sacrament L. called, and we got more info on where he's living. The name he gave us before really was the name of the mobile park that he's living in. So, with the info he gave us we were finally able to find it on the map. So, we will be seeing him asap (we have the car this week).

Yesterday we taught the gospel principles class for the Spanish branch. I hope that it got P.'s attention and that he will have us over often, so we can teach and baptized their daughter (still not sure about name or age, but apparently she's at least eight).

We had quite a good lesson with S. and K. L, the part member family that we recently found. First they fed us a pretty legit dinner. Then, we had a lesson on the restoration. It went well and S. accepted a soft commitment! The thing is that they're in the National Guard I believe it is. They are doing some training thing or something, so the next time we will be able to see them (well at least S.) will be after Jan. 26th. But, he soft committed for baptism and he committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon.

Just this past week, we started something where some districts are having district meeting on Thursday and others on Friday. This week ours was on Thursday, and next week it'll be on Friday. They are doing this, so that the Zone leaders can attend more of the district meetings in their zones, so they can get to know the missionaries that they preside over a bit better.

We saw a couple of investigators named T. and M. We found them just last week. They are really cool. They committed to read and pray about the Book of Mormon. We are trying to get them to attend church, but T. plays the drums for the church that he currently attends, so, he's working on finding someone to replace him, so they can check the church out.

I think that those are all of the main highlights for the week. Oh, President I. talked with me once more about my extension. It seems pretty final that it won't be happening though. I wish it could. He said that he wish he could keep me here, but it just wouldn't work out, so it I'll be going home in April still.

I'm so excited to check out your profiles on mormon.org! So cool! Well, that's everything for this week. Thanks for everything y'all do for the Lord and I. The church is true and I love being a missionary! I love y'all!!! (He has been asking us to add our profile to this site and we’re finally getting around to it)

Love,

Elder Kreyling

Las preguntas de mamá

Q. ¿Qué tal, tienes algo nuevo eh importante que informarnos? How are things going, do you have something new and exciting to inform us?

A. Ya perdimos el carro. Y estamos compartiendo con los otros elderes ahora. We lost the car and now we are sharing it with the other elders .

Q, ¿Cómo va todo en tu parte del mundo? How are thing going in your part of the world?

A. Bien. Todo bien. Everything is good.

Q. ¿Recibiste la tarjeta de Navidad firmada por el barrio? Did you get the Christmas card signed up from some people in the ward?

Monday, January 2, 2012

Well, L. just moved from his apartment/motel deal to a trailer with some friends. But he isn't quite sure what the address for it, so the members couldn't pick him up for church and we haven't been able to see him since he moved. But we aren't losing hope. It is plain to see that the adversary doesn't want him to be confirmed and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Thankfully the Lord is on our side, and we know he will provide a way for this to happen.

I can't remember if I told y'all or not about the ward directory that Bishop R. gave us. He highlighted a bunch of members for us to see, and he dotted members that he doesn't know much about. As we've seen the dotted ones, we find out that some have moved; sometimes like ten years ago! We've found some that really aren't to receptive to us. But there have been those few that have let us in, and we've had the chance to help some less actives come back. It's really exciting to see. There was one of those "dots" as we call them. It turns out that she lives in the same house as an active member. This member’s daughter was a member, but she just recently passed away. But her grandson is nine and apparently, he really wants to be baptized. His dad has agreed to bring him to her home for lessons. We haven't met him yet. His name is I. btw. But it seems that he has a lot of potential to be baptized in the next little bit

Last night we went on a team up with hermano A. of the Spanish branch. He's the first counselor. There are some Spanish members down in Maryville and we went all the way down there to see them! Take a look on a map to see how far it is. But we saw two families down there. The R. are pretty active. We saw a member named P. and his wife. Apparently they have a young daughter who isn't baptized. I'm not sure how old she is exactly this is just what hermano A. told me. P. just started reactivating himself. Hopefully the whole family starts attending church and all that. I'll let you know more about the daughter when I find out more.

Last night and part of today it snowed a bit! As we were driving last night it was a bit slick in some parts, but we didn't have any problems. It's crazy though because so many people here don't know how to drive in the snow. Thankfully, it's gone now. There may still be some ice in some places because it's pretty cold. Thanks for the blue jacket thing. I'm going to be using the hand warmers and a lot of layers during the winter. Oh btw we are losing our car, so we will be in a car share with the other pleasant ridge elders. So it's going to be like Dalton! It's going to be a challenge that will stretch us, but we are up for it.

Well, I don't have my camera with me this week, but hopefully I'll remember next week, so I can send some pictures. Things here are going well. Tell J. that I say thanks for the Christmas card and I love her. My prayers are with you all. Take care and have a great week! Love y'all and tell everyone else I love them!

Q. ¿Qué a pasado con L.? What has happened with L. ?A. Todavía no ha sido confirmado. Se mudo a otra casa pero no sabe la dirección entonces no podemos visitarle por ahora. He still has not been confirmed. He moved to another house, but doesn’t know the address, so we can’t visit him for now.

Q. ¿Que a pasado con la familia de M, S. Y C. y los R’s? What has happened with the M.S. & C. family and the R’s?A. Nada. Nothing.

Q. ¿Cómo estás de tu estomago, has usado los aceites doTerra? How are you doing with your stomach, have you used the doTerra oils?A. No todo. Pero si los he usado. Not all of them. But yes I have used them.